The Talmud gives an account of the enigmatic Tachash,
a mysterious creature whose beautiful multicolored hide was
used as a covering for the Tabernacle:

“The Tachash that lived in the time of Moses was a
unique species. The Sages could not determine whether
it was domesticated or wild. It only appeared
at that time for Moses, who used it
for the Tabernacle. Then it vanished.” (Shabbat 28b)

What is the significance of this unique animal? What
was its special connection to Moses, that it
made its appearance only during his lifetime? And
why did Moses incorporate the colorful Tachash in the Tabernacle,
albeit only for its outermost covering?

Mixed Blessings from Mixed Multitudes

In Aramaic, the Tachash is called Sasgona, for it was
proud (sas) of its many vivid colors (gona).
According to Rav Kook, the multihued Tachash is a metaphor,
representing Moses’ desire to include as
many talents and gifts as possible when building
the Jewish people — even talents that, on
their own, might have a negative influence upon
the people. The metaphor of the Tachash specifically
relates to Moses’ decision to allow the ErevRav — “mixed
multitudes” from other nations — join the
Israelites as they left Egypt.

The ErevRav were the source of much grief. They instigated the
Sin of the Golden Calf and other rebellions
against God in the wilderness. And their descendants
throughout the generations continued to bring troubles upon
Israel. Nevertheless, at the End of Days, all
the troubles these difficult and diverse forces caused will
be revealed as having been for the best, as the
absorption of the Erev Rav served to enrich the Jewish people.

One disturbing aspect of the Erev Rav is the
phenomenon of many dynamic forces abandoning the
Jewish nation during its long exile among the
nations. Yet this is not a true loss,
since only that which was foreign to the
inner spirit of Israel is cast off. These
lost elements of the Erev Rav were ultimately
incompatible with KnessetYisrael, the national soul of Israel; thus they were
unable to withstand the pressures and hardships of
exile. It saddens us to lose that which
we thought was part of Israel, but in
fact, they were never truly assimilated within the
nation’s soul.

This outcome benefits the world at large. As these ‘fallen leaves’
join the other nations, they bring with them
much of what they absorbed from the holiness
of Israel. As a result, other peoples have
become more receptive to Israel’s spiritual message.

Could the Tachash be Domesticated?

The Sages were in doubt as to the ultimate
fate of the multi-talented ErevRav. Would they
be truly absorbed within Israel, enriching
the people and remaining forever a part of
it? Or would they only serve as a
positive influence on the world, outside the camp
of Israel?

The Sages expressed this uncertainty by questioning whether
the Tachash was a domestic creature. A wild animal cannot be
trained and will not permanently join man’s home.
It can only be guided indirectly. A domesticated
animal, on the other hand, is completely subservient
to man and is an integral part of
his household. Would the Erev Rav ultimately be rejected,
like wild animals which can never
be truly at home with humanity? Or would
they be domesticated and incorporated into the house
of Israel?

Moses and the Tachash

Just as the Tachash only made its appearance in Moses’ time, so too,
this absorption of foreign talents was only possible
in Moses’ generation. No other generation could have
taken it upon itself to accept alien forces
into the nation. Once the contribution of the Erev Rav to
Israel is complete, the nation’s spiritual restoration requires
that they will be purged from the Jewish
people. “I will purge your dross... and then
you will be called the city of righteousness,
faithful city” (Isaiah 1: 25-26).

We usually avoid destructive forces which may delay and
hinder the ultimate good. However, a far-reaching vision
can detect the underlying purpose of all human activity, as all actions
ultimately fulfill the Divine Will. The great hour
of Exodus resonated with the highest vision; the
first redemption of Israel initiated the historical process
that will culminate with the final redemption. Moses,
the master prophet, “the most faithful of all My
house,” saw fit to include those varied forces that ordinarily
would be rejected. And yet, like the skins of the Tachash,
they were only suitable for the most external
covering.

“The new heavens and the new earth which I
will make are standing before Me.” (Isaiah 66:22)

All of the wonderful forces of the future —
“the new heavens and the new earth” —
are not really new. They already exist. Even
now, they are “standing before Me.” By accepting
the Erev Rav, Moses planted these diverse gifts within the Jewish
people. Like seeds, they decay in the ground;
but ultimately they will sprout and bring forth
new life. The brilliant future light, with all
of its spectacular colors and breadth, is not
new; it was secreted away long ago. This resplendent
light is hidden, like the multi-hued Tachash, until the time will come for it to
be revealed once more.